The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-26

Inc InObnefy now as mucu DeSlue 1er-
self with remorse and grief as little
while before she had been with anger,
could do nothing but moan and cry, Il
have killed my boy, L have killed my
boyP' but the father carefully lifted the
little fellow and carried him to an open
door. telling Mollie to run for DIR. Gibbs
who had just driven in to his yard across
the street. The Doctor came at once,
and was soon followed by his wife who
had heard Mollie say, "Willie's killed"
CHANGING at Willie and then at the
wretched mother he at once comprehend
ed the situation, and telling his wife to
take Rachel homo with her and care for
her, he gave his whole attention to the
child who was not killed, but stunned
and certainly badly hurt.
It is not easy to estimate the effect
of repeated blows from the hand of an
angry woman on the head of little child;
and the wonder is, not that children SUBJ
ject to such beatings become dull and i'd
lotto, but that they do not oftener die from
the effects. And have often wondered
that children who are used to hard blows
and still more cruel reproaches do not
grow TO hate and despise their parents
whose love and tender care should gently
lead them throug the paths of childhood
and youth.
Two nights and day of fever end de-
lirium followed by utter prostration con-
WINGED both physician and father that
the child could not survive. Not SO with
the mother, who though shocked and
quite overcome when she first saw the
result Of her rash and wicked conduct
was at heart loving mother and in
most respects very good woman. When
she came to herself, after sleeping off the
effects of the medicine that was given
her, her whole life seemed to pass like a
panorama before her, and she saw that she
had fearfully sinned against God, against
her family and against her own soul; that
she had been guilty of ingratitude, envy
| and selfishness; that she had overlooked
heavens choicest blessings and spent her
labor and strength for the most unsatisfy-
ing trifies. In deep contrition did she
bow herself before the Father Of Spirits,
humbly confessing her sins and begging
| forgiveness and strength to take up her
cross and do her duty faithfully. Most
earnestly did she plead that the child's
life might be spared, still feeling that she
had no right to murmur il he we're taken
| from her.
Thus, humble and penitent and trust.
ing in the Divine Love and strength, she
arose and went about her daily duties
and when the kind physician had done al
he could and concluded that Willie must
die, she calmly begged them all to &c
out and leave her alone with her child
Kneeling by the bed and taking the
little cold hands between her own, heI
whole soul went out in earnest pleading
to the Heavenly Father to spare the
boys life, that by loving care and devo-
ton she might make some fit return foI
her sinful cruelty. After a while she
felt the little hands within her own grow.
ing warm; then she slipped one hand
gently down to his feet which we're very
cold. as we're his legs to the knees.
After rubbing them tenderly for few
minutes new thought came to her like
inspiration, and carefully withdrawing
her hands she took soft, warm blanket
from her closet, and undressing herself
she laid down by his side, tucked the
blanket nicely around him and drew hin
close to her, his cold limbs next to hel
warm body and her arms around him
while every breath was prayer fol-
strength and guidance.
After watching long time she saw hi
eyelids culver, and by-and-by his largt
blue eyes slowly opened and closed, ther
again they opened wide and looked won
deringly into his mothers face, then clos
ed again. Trembling as the mother had
been between hope and fear, her heart was
now filed with joy, and as she imprinted
kiss after kiss on his pale cheeks and fore
head, not daring to touch his lips lest the
feeble breath be stopped. Again ht
looked in her face moment, drew up his
hand and put it on her cheek, then SLEPT
sweetly and naturally.
After an hours good sleep he awoke
bright and clear minded, though very
weak, and from that blessed morning he
gained rapidly and soon was we'll and
happy.
From that morning also began new
era in the life of the Towards. No more
cross or angry words, no more grumbling
or fault-fnding, but peace, love and har-
mony prevailed. Sad and painful had
been the chastisement, but it yielded the
peaceable fruits of righteousness; and
Rachel Howard never afterward envied
others or ceased to be grateful for the
many blessings and comforts by which
she was surrounded.
Akron, o.